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At least 37 records · Page 2

Measurements of Density and Sound Speed in Mixtures Relevant to Supercritical CO2 Cycles

Abstract The objective of this research is to validate properties of mixtures relevant to supercritical carbon dioxide (sCO2) power cycles. Direct-fired sCO2 cycles are a promising technology for the future power generation systems. The working fluid of sCO2 cycles will be near and above critical point of CO2. One of the challenges is that the simulation of mixtures should consider real gas behavior. Expected operating conditions of Allam cycles reach up to 300 bar and 1000 °C. Characterizing the mixtures at the extreme conditions is an important issue in current researches and industrial applications. Thermophysical properties of mixtures may be beyond the valid range of the widely used database such as NIST REFPROP. Experimental data of mixture properties in the literature are limited which is necessary to develop high-fidelity design tools for sCO2 power cycles. We measured the density and sound speed of several multi-component mixtures. A temperature-controlled high-pressure test cell was used for the density measurements. Sound speed was measured by resonant frequency detection using an external speaker and a piezoelectric pressure sensor. Mixtures studied in this work include carbon dioxide, methane, oxygen, and water vapor. Properties of pure CO2 were measured to show the validity of our technique. Compositions were selected to be close to frozen mixtures at the inlet, mid-progress, and exhaust conditions of a model sCO2 combustor in the previous numerical simulation work. Corresponding reaction progress variables (RPV) were RPV = 0, 0.5, and 1. Temperature and pressure conditions of experiments are 310–450 K and 0–150 bar. In our study, density and sound speed from the NIST REFPROP database agree with experimental measurements within the range of our measurement uncertainties.

Energy & Fuels↗

Simulation of Premixed and Partially Premixed Jet-in-Crossflow Flames at High Pressure

In this paper, we explore the operational map of a lean axial-staged combustor of premixed and partially premixed reacting jet-in-crossflow flames at high -pressure (5 atm). This study attempts to expand the data to relatively high pressure and could significantly aid scaling to real gas turbine engine conditions at 20–30 atm. High-speed camera, particle image velocimetry (PIV), CH* chemiluminescence, temperature, and pressure measurements were taken and processed to allow accurate reconstruction of six operating points relative to computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulations under minimal adjustments. Variation of lean main stage (φ = 0.575 and 0.73) and rich jet (φ = 1.1, 4, and 8) equivalence ratio has been investigated for a four mm axial jet. The fully premixed flames were found to be controlled by the crossflow temperature before ignition and the crossflow oxygen content during combustion. Analysis of flame shape and position for the partially premixed operating points describes a lee stabilized as well as a more unsteady windward flame branch. Adjustment of added jet fuel and crossflow temperature along with its corresponding oxygen level is required to attain a compact flame body. Here, the risk of delaying combustion progress is significantly increased at a richer jet φ = 8 and an overshooting, spatially divided flame was attained with a main stage φ = 0.73. Control toward a compact flame body is critical to allow combustion at reasonable reaction rate.

03 NATURAL GAS↗

The Incredible Lightness of Water Vapor

The molar mass of water vapor is much less than that of dry air. This makes a moist parcel lighter than a dry parcel of the same temperature and pressure. This effect is referred to as the vapor buoyancy effect and has often been overlooked in climate studies. We propose that the vapor buoyancy effect increases Earth’s outgoing longwave radiation (OLR) and that this negative radiative effect increases with warming, stabilizing Earth’s climate. We illustrate this mechanism in an idealized tropical atmosphere, where there is no horizontal buoyancy gradient in the free troposphere. Temperature increases toward dry atmosphere columns to compensate the reduced vapor buoyancy, increasing OLR by O(1 W m −2 ) at the reference climate. In warmer climates, the temperature difference between moist and dry columns would increase as a result of increasing atmospheric water vapor, leading to enhanced radiative effect and thereby stabilizing Earth’s climate. We estimate that this feedback strength is about O(0.2 W m −2 K −1 ) in the idealized atmosphere, which compares to cloud feedback and surface albedo feedback in the current climate. We further show evidence from observations and real-gas radiative transfer calculations for a significant radiative effect of vapor buoyancy in the tropical atmosphere.

Yang, Da↗

Validation and Comparison of HyRAM Physics Models

The Hydrogen Risk Assessment Models (HyRAM) software version 3 uses a real gas equation of state rather than the Abel-Noble equation of state that is used in 2.0 and previous versions. This change enables the use of HyRAM 3 for cryogenic hydrogen flows, whereas the Abel-Noble equation of state is not accurate at low temperatures. HyRAM 3.1 results were compared to experimental data from the literature in order to demonstrate the accuracy of the physics models. HyRAM 3.1 results were also compared to HyRAM 2.0 for high-pressure, non-cryogenic flows to highlight the differences in predictions between the two major versions of HyRAM. Validation data sets are from multiple groups and span the range of HyRAM physics models, including tank blowdown, unignited dispersion jet plume, ignited jet flame, and accumulation and overpressure inside an enclosure. Both versions 2.0 and 3.1 of HyRAM are accurate for predictions of blowdowns, diffusion jets, and diffusion flames of hydrogen at pressures up to 900 bar, and HyRAM 3.1 also shows good agreement with cryogenic hydrogen data. Overall, HyRAM 3.1 improves on the accuracy of the physical models relative to HyRAM 2.0. In most cases, this reduces the conservatism in risk calculations using HyRAM.

08 HYDROGEN↗

Development of Laboratory Testbeds Simulating Real-World Greenhouse Gas Emissions [Slides]

In this presentation, I discussed the development of laboratory test beds that simulate field greenhouse gas emissions. Field experiments are used to test new landscape management practices that could reduce greenhouse gas emissions. However, field experiments are very expensive and time consuming. Laboratory experiments are generally more cost efficient and timesaving. There are methods that can be used to make these laboratory tests more closely replicate natural systems for the improvement of agricultural lands used in biofuel and food production. The goal of this project is to develop a laboratory testbed that will mimic field greenhouse gas emissions. To achieve this goal, we used soil cores taken from agricultural and marginal lands, then attached fiberglass wicks to improve the drainage system in the core to simulate a more natural hydraulic system. The combination of using native soils and fiberglass wicks should demonstrate similar greenhouse gas emissions between the lab and the field. Our preliminary results suggest that the carbon dioxide and nitrous oxide flux from the agricultural land site were comparable to the greenhouse soil cores equipped with the drainage wicks. The data suggests that laboratory testbeds can be used to mimic field greenhouse gas emissions if parameters, such as soil water content are in a set range.

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES↗

Development of Laboratory Testbeds Simulating Real-World Greenhouse Gas Emissions

Climate change leads to drastic variations in the environment that can threaten food security. To protect the security and prosperity of the environment, new agricultural practices that mitigate greenhouse gas emissions need to be developed. Agriculture plays a large role in the emissions of greenhouse gases, thus a need for new practices. At present, testing landscape management practices for carbon sequestration and reduction of greenhouse gas emissions are expensive because such tests often require intricate field experiments. Laboratory tests on landscape management practices often fail to simulate and accurately represent the natural systems researchers intend to study. There are methods that can be used to make these laboratory tests more closely replicate natural systems for the improvement of agricultural lands used in biofuel and food production. The goal of this project is to develop a laboratory testbed replicating field conditions that will mimic field greenhouse gas emissions. To achieve this goal, we used soil cores taken from agricultural and marginal lands, then attached fiberglass wicks to improve the drainage system in the soil core to simulate a more natural hydraulic system. The soil cores with the wicks were used to compared to greenhouse gas emissions observed in the field. Our preliminary results suggest that the soil carbon dioxide and nitrous oxide flux from the agricultural land site were comparable to the soil cores equipped with the drainage wicks. The data suggests that laboratory testbeds can be used to mimic field greenhouse gas emissions if parameters, such as soil water content were in a set range. The laboratory testbed produces similar greenhouse gas emissions to the agricultural site when the soil water content was between 15-25%.

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES↗

Coordinated Modeling of Electric Grid and Natural Gas Network Operations

Presentation based upon full report of a Colorado case study and coordination framework, which is available at https://www.nrel.gov/docs/fy20osti/77096.pdf. JISEA analysts Brian Sergi, Omar Guerra, and Bri-Mathias Hodge will present on recent JISEA work on coordination between the natural gas and electricity sectors. Power and gas are becoming increasingly interdependent but weren't designed to function together. How does greater coordination impact system operations with different levels of solar and wind penetrations? This free JISEA presentation will take place in a Webinar on Tuesday, May 11, 2021 at 12 p.m.: Learn how greater coordination between the natural gas and electricity sectors impacts system operations with different levels of solar and wind penetrations. Presentation information includes: Historical and projected data for natural gas consumption and power generation in the United States as demonstrated by 2014 East Coast Polar Vortex, 2021 Texas Winter Storm Uri. Showing coupling points, FERC identified need for better coordination, different levels of coordination (decision making and optimization control), coordination framework. Case study on Colorado Front Range, ramping requirements and gas nominations, real-time dispatch (June and December scenarios), results of analysis of impacts of coordination on unserved load. Total real-time gas offtakes by node, impacts on unserved gas, effect on CO2 emissions. Discussions on clusions drawn from Colorado Case study expanded co-simulation via HELICS, objectives of the HELICS+ natural gas use case, modeling of hydrogen blending, techno economic assessment of blending, and blending impacts on energy content and pressure.

analysis↗

Hydrogen Plus Other Alternative Fuels Risk Assessment Models (HyRAM+) Version 5.0 Technical Reference Manual

The HyRAM+ software toolkit provides a basis for conducting quantitative risk assessment and consequence modeling for hydrogen, natural gas, and autogas systems. HyRAM+ is designed to facilitate the use of state-of-the-art models to conduct robust, repeatable assessments of safety, hazards, and risk. HyRAM+ integrates deterministic and probabilistic models for quantifying leak sizes and rates, predicting physical effects, characterizing hazards (thermal effects from jet fires, overpressure effects from delayed ignition), and assessing impacts on people. HyRAM+ is developed at Sandia National Laboratories to support the development and revision of national and international codes and standards, and to provide developed models in a publicly-accessible toolkit usable by all stakeholders. This document provides a description of the methodology and models contained in HyRAM+ version 5.0. The most significant change for HyRAM+ version 5.0 from HyRAM+ version 4.1 is the ability to model blends of different fuels. HyRAM+ was previously only suitable for use with hydrogen, methane, or propane, with users having the ability to use methane as a proxy for natural gas and propane as a proxy for autogas/liquefied petroleum gas. In version 5.0, real natural gas or autogas compositions can be modeled as the fuel, or even blends of natural gas with hydrogen. These blends can be used in the standalone physics models, but not yet in the quantitative risk assessment mode of HyRAM+.

03 NATURAL GAS↗

Conversion of CO 2 from power plant into CaCO 3 nanoparticles

Carbon dioxide (CO 2 ), a main composition of flue gas, represents a significant and largely untapped carbon resource. Herein, mediated by glycine (Gly), we captured and converted CO 2 into CaCO 3 nanoparticles using real flue gas from a power plant, demonstrating for the first time the feasibility of using amino acid to convert CO 2 from power plant flue gasses. The method did not require extraneous energy and CaCO 3 nanoparticles with a size of ∼25 nm were obtained. Moreover, the potential toxicity of CO 2 -converted nanoparticles was investigated. It appeared that both the initial CO 2 loading and the carbamate percentage significantly influence the shape and size of the CaCO 3 particles. Our method was also proven effective for flue gas with varying CO 2 concentrations (4 %, 12 %, and 20 %). By tuning flue gas bubbling time and flow rate to achieve consistent CO 2 loading and carbamate levels, we produced CaCO 3 nanoparticles with similar shapes and sizes across all CO 2 concentrations studied. In addition, our data indicated that although real flue gas contains small amounts of gases like oxygen and CO, they insignificantly influence the shape and size of our nanoparticles but did impact the phase component of CaCO 3 . In conclusion, the toxicity experiments found that CaCO 3 nanoparticles produced from both real flue gas and simulated flue gas exhibited concentration- and time-dependent effects on cell viability.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Atomic resolution tracking of nerve-agent simulant decomposition and host metal–organic framework response in real space

Gas capture and sequestration are valuable properties of metal–organic frameworks (MOFs) driving tremendous interest in their use as filtration materials for chemical warfare agents. Recently, the Zr-based MOF UiO-67 was shown to effectively adsorb and decompose the nerve-agent simulant, dimethyl methylphosphonate (DMMP). Understanding mechanisms of MOF-agent interaction is challenging due to the need to distinguish between the roles of the MOF framework and its particular sites for the activation and sequestration process. Here, we demonstrate the quantitative tracking of both framework and binding component structures using in situ X-ray total scattering measurements of UiO-67 under DMMP exposure, pair distribution function analysis, and theoretical calculations. The sorption and desorption of DMMP within the pores, association with linker-deficient Zr6 cores, and decomposition to irreversibly bound methyl methylphosphonate were directly observed and analyzed with atomic resolution.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Recent Cryogenic Carbon Capture™ Field Test Results

Sustainable Energy Solutions (SES) has been developing Cryogenic Carbon Capture™ (CCC) since 2008. In that time, two processes have been developed, the External Cooling Loop and Compressed Flue Gas CCC processes (CCC-ECL and CCC-CFG, respectively). The CCC-ECL process cools the flue gas with an external refrigerant loop. This process currently captures up to 1 tonne of CO2 per day (TPD). SES has tested CCC-ECL on real flue gas slip streams from subbituminous coal, bituminous coal, biomass, natural gas, shredded tires, and municipal waste fuels at field sites that include utility power stations, heating plants, cement kilns, and pilot-scale research reactors. The CO2 concentrations from these tests ranged from 5 to 22% on a dry basis. CO2 capture ranged from 95-99+% during these tests. Several other condensable species were also captured including NO2, SO2 and PMxx at 95+%. NO was also captured at a modest rate. The CCC-CFG process has been scaled up to a 0.25 ton per day system. This system has been tested on real flue gas streams including subbituminous coal, bituminous coal, and natural gas at field sites that include utility power stations, heating plants, and pilot-scale research reactors. CO2 concentrations for these tests ranged from 5 to 15% on a dry basis. CO2 capture ranged from 95-99+% during these tests. Several other condensable species were also captured including NO2, SO2, and PMxx at 95+%. NO was also captured at 90+%. Hg capture was also verified and the resulting effluent from CCC-CFG was below a 1ppt concentration. This paper will focus on discussion of the capabilities of CCC generally, the results of CCC-ECL field testing, and future steps surrounding the development of this technology. Test results that will be presented have been collected during 9 months of testing at a commercial power plant under funding from the US Department of Energy (DOE) and the host utility. Testing of one of the systems at a commercial cement plant in the United States will also be discussed. During this testing, the system captured CO2 from the cement plant and stored the CO2 in pressurized tanks. These tanks were provided to a partner company that later used the CO2 in a CO2 utilization demonstration. The CO2 was utilized to cure concrete manufactured using cement from the same plant where the CO2 was captured. This integrated capture and utilization demonstration was the first time that the cement industry has shown in the field that it can sequester its CO2 emissions in its main product stream. This represents a potential game changing solution for industrial CO2 emissions. Operational data and host-site feedback indicate that the CCC process is ideally suited for deployment into a variety of commercial environments. A few areas of de-risking remain to make sure the technology can meet very strict industrial reliability standards. These areas of de-risking are identified and discussed. The product CO2 is shown to meet specification for many uses including industrial and merchant applications. The technology is nearing readiness for deployment at commercial scale and several initial target markets have been identified.

20 FOSSIL-FUELED POWER PLANTS↗

A multimodal flow reactor for photocatalysis under atmospheric conditions

Photocatalysis is a promising concept for the direct conversion of solar energy into fuels and chemicals. The design, experimental protocol, and performance of a multimodal and versatile flow reactor for the characterization of powdered and immobilized photocatalysts are presented in this report. Ultimately, this instrument enables rigorous evaluation of photocatalysis performance metrics. The apparatus quantifies transient gas-phase reaction products via online real-time gas analyzer mass spectrometry (RTGA-MS). For H 2 , the most challenging gas, the photocatalytic system’s RTGA-MS gas detection sensitivity spans over three orders of magnitude and can detect down to tens of parts per million under atmospheric conditions. Using Pt nanoparticles supported on anatase TiO 2 photocatalyst via wet impregnation, the instrument’s capability for the characterization of photocatalytic H 2 evolution is demonstrated, resulting in an apparent quantum yield (AQY) of 48.1% ± 0.9% at 320 nm, 45.7% ± 0.3% at 340 nm and 31% ± 1% at 360 nm. The photodeposition of Pt on anatase TiO 2 was employed to demonstrate the instrument’s capability to track the transient behavior of photocatalysts, resulting in an improved 55% ± 2% AQY for H 2 evolution at 340 nm from aqueous methanol. This photocatalytic instrument enables systematic study of a wide variety of photocatalytic reactions such as water splitting and CO 2 reduction to valuable C2+ fuels and chemicals.

14 SOLAR ENERGY↗

Perovskite-sensitized β-Ga 2 O 3 nanorod arrays for highly selective and sensitive NO 2 detection at high temperature

Amongst various gaseous pollutants, NO 2 is one of the major exhausts originating from fossil fuel and gas combustions in vehicle engines and power plants at high temperature. Under such a scenario, in situ and real-time gas detection and monitoring solutions are largely limited, which hinders the energy-efficient and resource-saving operations of these advanced energy systems. Herein, a new type of perovskite-sensitized β-Ga 2 O 3 nanorod-array has been successfully fabricated to detect NO x at high temperature selectively and sensitively. The demonstrated gas sensors are highly sensitive to NO 2 at 800 °C, with excellent reversible and reproducible response characteristics. Through the surface decoration of perovskite-type La 0.8 Sr 0.2 CoO 3 (LSCO) nanoparticles, the sensitivity of β-Ga 2 O 3 nanorod array gas sensors is enhanced by nearly an order of magnitude, along with much faster response dynamics. A remarkable selectivity toward oxidative gases was also demonstrated with the robust differentiation of NO 2 .

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Feasibility of fusion plasma burn control via real-time, sub-divertor neutral gas isotopic and compositional analysis

The ability to provide fusion burn control without requiring physical access through the first wall and fuel breeding blankets, would be vital for any future, magnetically confined fusion power reactor. A multi-sensor, fusion fuel cycle exhaust, neutral gas analysis system on JET, capable of delivering real time data, and accessing only the sub-divertor region, provides an excellent example of such capability. Optimized for and operated during the deuterium–tritium experimental campaigns 2 and 3 (DTE2, DTE3), it is proving valuable for planning to explore fusion reactor burn control in ITER with a comparable diagnostic system called the Diagnostic Residual Gas Analyzer (DRGA). This paper aims to show feasibility of developing model-based controllers for ITER and next generation, reactor-relevant devices, by building both on the empirical experience in JET-DTE2, and on the already emerging experience on developing such models specifically for ITER. The paper begins with a specific use-case from JET-DTE2, pertaining to the observed sensitivity of the fusion neutron yield on the concentration of isotopic helium-3 ( 3 He), with data from one of the high-performance DT shots exhibited with emphasis on the 3 He measurement via the sub-divertor. Then, a first model is developed and then explored with simulations that aim to discover how well the controllers in the model react to either insufficient levels of 3 He or excessive levels of 3 He. The simulations then explore potential impact from a delay in the measurement (or the response) that would be comparable to the ∼1 s, conductance limited response for the ITER DRGA system, currently in its final design. The simulations show that control is feasible, and that its effectiveness is not significantly impacted by such delay.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗

Mid-IR UAV-based sensing platform with deep learning to Identify and Quantify Gaseous Emission in Gas Flares

This report details the development and evaluation of a Mid-Infrared (Mid-IR) Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV)-based sensing platform integrated with deep learning algorithms for the identification and quantification of gaseous emissions in gas flares. The project, spearheaded by Omega Optics, Inc., aimed to address environmental monitoring challenges by leveraging advanced photonic technologies and autonomous UAV operations. The research focused on designing, optimizing, and fabricating photonic crystal waveguides and grating couplers to enhance the sensitivity and accuracy of gas detection. A comprehensive drone-based system was developed, featuring a miniaturized sensor, GPS module, and microcontroller communication network for real-time gas concentration monitoring. The system's adaptive sampling algorithm, implemented using the Robot Operating System (ROS), enables autonomous detection and localization of gas emission sources. Preliminary results demonstrate the platform's capability to detect and monitor gas emissions with high precision, cost-effectiveness, and scalability. Future work will expand upon this foundation by introducing 3D wind model-based learning for dynamic environmental conditions and further enhancing the user interface and data processing algorithms to support broader environmental monitoring applications. Overall, this project represents a significant step forward in UAV-based environmental sensing technologies, offering robust solutions for detecting and mitigating the impacts of gaseous emissions on public health and safety.

47 OTHER INSTRUMENTATION↗

A PIPS + SrI 2 (Eu) detector for atmospheric radioxenon monitoring

The PIPS–SrI 2 (Eu) is a prototype atmospheric radioxenon detection system designed at Oregon State University in support of international efforts towards monitoring clandestine nuclear weapon testing activities. This detector aims to address some shortcomings found in currently deployed beta–gamma atmospheric radioxenon detection systems, such as lackluster energy resolution and memory effect, by employing modern detection materials and readout. The system uses a PIPSBox, a silicon-based gas cell, for electron detection, and a pair of ultrabright, D-shaped SrI 2 (Eu) scintillators coupled to silicon photomultipliers for photon detection. A custom eight-channel digital pulse processor equipped with a field programmable gate-array (FPGA) identifies electron–photon coincidences between the volumes in near real-time. Gas samples of the four radioxenon isotopes of interest were independently measured with the PIPS–SrI 2 (Eu) detection system to determine energy resolution and efficiency. Application of FPGA-based coincidence discrimination in near real-time reduced the ambient background count rate by 95.85 ± 0.04%. Using parameters from the Xenon International gas processing unit and assuming a blank sample and zero memory effect the minimum detectable concentrations (MDCs) for the isotopes were calculated to be 0.12 ± 0.03, 0.27 ± 0.05, 0.15 ± 0.02, and 1.00 ± 0.08 mBq/m 3 air for 131m Xe, 133 Xe, 133m Xe, and 135 Xe, respectively. These MDC estimates compare well with other radioxenon detection systems employed in the International Monitoring System (IMS) and indicate that the PIPS–SrI 2 (Eu) is in compliance with the Comprehensive Nuclear Test-Ban-Treaty Organization (CTBTO) sensitivity requirement of ≤ 1 mBq/m 3 for 133 Xe.

46 INSTRUMENTATION RELATED TO NUCLEAR SCIENCE AND ↗

Real-Time Measurements of Gas-Phase Medium-Chain Chlorinated Paraffins Reveal Daily Changes in Gas-Particle Partitioning Controlled by Ambient Temperature

Chlorinated paraffins (CPs) are synthetic polychlorinated n-alkanes produced as mixtures of a range of C x Cl y H 2x–y+2 formulas. CPs have numerous industrial applications but are toxic, long-lived, and environmentally ubiquitous with environmental releases occurring throughout their production, use, and disposal. Short-chain chlorinated paraffins (SCCPs, C 10–13 ) have been regulated by the United States Environmental Protection Agency since 2009 and by the Stockholm Convention since 2017. SCCP regulation is expected to cause increased production of medium-chain chlorinated paraffins (MCCPs; C 14–17 ), which are currently under consideration for Stockholm Convention regulations. Thus, there is a need to improve the understanding of MCCP environmental transport, distribution, and fate. Existing measurements are limited in their spatial and temporal coverage. Measurements of CP atmospheric loading are particularly scarce. Historically, these measurements have required long sampling times, obscuring the temporal behavior of atmospheric CPs. We report real-time in situ measurements of 18 gas-phase MCCPs. These measurements were made in the United States Southern Great Plains with nitrate ion chemical ionization mass spectrometry (NO 3 –CIMS). Here, the estimated average lower-limit concentration of MCCPs is on the order of single-digit ng/m 3 . MCCP diel behavior is partially explained by gas-particle partitioning with implications for MCCP transport and lifetimes.

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES↗